XOXO's Mel studies Bisaya to better communicate with her bandmates
After joining the first season of The Clash way back in 2018, Mel Caluag was launched as part of the Kapuso girl group XOXO in August of 2019 together with her co-contestants, Dani Ozaraga, Lyra Micolob, and Riel Lomadilla.
In Mel's exclusive interview with GMA Music, the up-and-coming Kapuso diva talked about her initial struggles as part of the girl group XOXO.
According to Mel, they really found it hard to harmonize at first because they started their singing careers as soloists specializing in different genres. Another hurdle Mel had to face was that she had difficulty connecting with her bandmates, Riel, Lyra, and Dani, who were all fluent in speaking Bisaya.
"Actually lahat po kami, magkaka-close lahat and then siyempre 'yung bawat isa po sa 'min talagang nabuo sa The Clash so hindi na rin kami nahirapan 'nung nabuo 'yung XOXO.
"Ako lang po medyo nahirapan 'nung una kasi 'yung hindi ko sila agad naiintindihan siyempre sila Bisaya, ako Tagalog. Minsan hindi ko sila naiintindihan so ngayon, nag-push ako lalo na mag-aral ng mga Bisaya [words] kaya 'gamay' lang ang natututunan ko ngayon," she said.
Aside from their common love for music, the girls also share interests in makeup and food which brought them even closer. Thanks to their individual efforts to form their group, XOXO became stronger than ever.
XOXO just released their self-titled debut single last September 10 on streaming platforms worldwide.